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The Karnataka government has announced the availability of 100 acres in Mandya for the establishment of the country’s first Construction and Infrastructure Equipment Testing facility proposed at an estimated cost of ₹500 crore.
Minister for Large and Medium Industries M.B. Patil in a written communication to Union Minister for Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy has sought directions to the Automative Research Association of India (ARAI) to submit a detailed project proposal.
Mr. Patil’s announcement came following a letter from Mr. Kumaraswamy in January seeking the required land. He has said that the Mandya Deputy Commissioner has informed availability of 105 acres of government land in Muddanaghatta and Heggadithihalli villages of Basaralu hobli in Mandya taluk. The land is located barely 500 metres from the Mandya-Nagamangala State highway, he pointed out.
He said that more land than the originally sought extent is available for the proposed facility and urged the ARAI representatives and the Union Ministry’s officials to visit the State and undertake a joint inspection to assess the suitability of the site. If found suitable, the land could be then allotted for the facility, he added.
Published – February 10, 2026 06:55 pm IST
